Combined booster and fire pump



Filed March 17, 1932 I INVENTOR CHARLES FOX.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 25, 1932 "UNIT D STATES CHARLES H. FOX, or cINcINNA'ri, onio, ASSIGNOR TO THE AHRENS-FOX FIRE ENGINE COMPANY,OI CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO- COMBINED BOOSTER, AND FIRE PUMP I A Application filed March 17, 1932. Serial No. 599,421.

This invention relates to a combination booster and fire pump primer designed tofacilitate the starting of pumping operations in situations where pumps arerequlred tov raise liquids from depths below the point wherethe pump is situated.- H I v c This invention has for its object to provide a supplemental attachment, prefer ablyin the form ofa smaller mechanically drivenpumping unit of thepositive displacementtype,

which in addition to theexhausting pump ing action shall be capable of sustained operation, handling its quota offiuid after the exhausting action is complete.

7 It is particularly the object of this inven-' tion to provide, in connection with a fire pump of the centrifugalftype, anauXiliary booster and exhau'ster pump adapted to prime a main or major pump, and to deliverwater for five extinguishing purposes either from a booster tank or from the supply from which the major pump receives'water. q j

This invention deals in part with auxiliary drafting devices designed to facilitate the starting of pumping operations in situations where pumps are required to raise liquids from depths below the point where the pump is stationed. The objective involves'the use of a supplemental attachment','pr'eferaloly in the form ofa smaller mechanically drivenpumping unit of the positive displacement type andwhich in addition to the primary function ab ove indicated, shall "be capable of v sustained operation, handling its quota of liquidaf ter the exhaustionis complete-and delivering same underpressure at the points and for the/purposes as hereinafter set forth.

The vertical height of th'e'lift 'or the distance through which the fluid is drafted will in any case be proportional to the weight of the liquid; the atmospheric pressure attenda ing and the degree of vacuumwhich the auxiliary exhausting device is capable of creat-' mg. i V 7 It is well known that displacement pumpssuch as the piston and rotarytypes normally are capable of preexhausting the entrained air. On the other hand, however, pumps of thecentrifugal type-to be effective at draft-mustbe fitted with asupplemental exhauster which is foreign to and not essentially apart of the pump itself. More directly aimed to' serve with pumps of the centrifugal type, the invention nevertheless is not limited to pumps in that'class; itis ap'-' plicablefor usefin other types and is particu-.

, ewes larly intended and adapted for fire pumps and more especially for fire engineswhere the 7 means for supplying the lesser volume of" water-*at adequate pressu'res-which is necessary to make effective the smaller the streams now so universally used for extinguishing small fires; This secondary func tion, in combination with certain valves, tu bular connections and features associated witlipresent day fire engine "practice, is intended to relieve the. principal fire pumps from the ninorduty-l outlined, thus introducing: anew feature which has an especial value in its relation to the operation of fire pumps of the centrifugal type. i I

In this connection, it should be understood,

that the customary small jet us'ed on incipient fires does not call for more than from I 30 to 50 gallons of water per minute. The pressure'etfective at the point of discharge may not exceed from iO to 60 pounds pressure.

Nevertheless, there mustbe taken into account the fact that because of-the greater frictionin the'smaller firehose used and because these streams frequently must be carried aloft in burning buildings, it often -may be necessary to carry pump, pressures which are quitehigh, i V l a In fire pumps ofthe centrifugal type, it is known that pressure is a function of the speed at which the pump is driven and it follows therefore-for example-in the 7 case of a 1,000 gallon'centrifugal pumper, the pumpingunit must be driven at a high rate of speed resultant is undue heatin gofthe pump and a in order to deliver even five per cent of its l an overflow pipe 15.

highly disproportionate amount of wear and tear upon the parts.

It is therefore seen that the invention has two advantages:

First, serving to raise the water from a lower level up and into the principal fire pump unit.

Second, the utilization of the same primin or air exhausting device for providing and maintaining the action of the lesser or socalled booster fire streams at such times when the situation does not call for bringing the major fire pump into action;

Further advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing. a

In the drawing there is shown a booster and exhauster pump used in connection with a major or main pump for fire extinguishing purposes. The apparatus shown in this figure may be used in connection with a source of water located beneath the pumps, from which the water has to be taken by suction, or it may be used in connection with hydrant water in which there is a certain amount of pressure.

In this figure the numeral 1 is used to designate a supply of water, such as a reservoir, tank or other water supply, located at a point beneath the pumping apparatus. Extending upwardly from the water supply is a hose 2 adapted to be connected to a suction pipe 3 of the major pum As shown in this figure thesuction pipe has its free end closed by means of a sealing cap 4, and may be connected to the hose 2 by removing the cap and V inserting in its place a suitable connection 4a.

The numeral 5 is used to designate the 'major pump, of which the pipe 3 is the suction pipe and a pipe 6 is the discharge pipe from the pump, which has at its end a discharge valve or gate 7. The auxiliary pump is indicated by the numeral 8, and is of the rotary or positive displacement type, while the major pump is of the centrifugal type, or a non-lifting pump. The auxiliary pump has an inlet suction pipe 9, which has one branch 10 connected to a tank ll and controlled by a valve 12.

The suction pipe 9 has a second branch 13 connected to the major centrifugal pump for creating suction therein on the operation of the auxiliary pump 8. The point of junction between the suction pipe 9 and its branch 13 has a valve therein 14, by which the branch 13 may be cut off from the suction pipe 9.

Suitably connected to the booster tank is This tank is also provided with a filling spud 16. The auxiliary booster pump has an outlet 17-, which is connected to a pipe 18 by means of a valve coupling 19. The pipe 18 extends into the axis of a reel 20, which has suitably connected thereto one end of a reel. hose 21 adapted to be supported on the reel for carrying purthe purpose of rota-tin g the reel a crank 23 is 79 provided. Extending around one side of the auxiliary pump, from the outlet 17 to the inlet or suction pipe 9, is a reief pipe 24., which has therein an automatic relief valve 25 and a relief nullifyinp; valve 26.. When the valve 75 26 is open fluid from the outlet side of the auxiliary pump may circulate through the auxiliary valvebaclr to the intake side of this pump, but when the valve 26 is closed no such recirculation can take place.

Extending downwardly from the suction pipe 3 is a branch '27 adapted to be, closed by a valve 28 of the gate type. VVhen this branch is not being used acap 29 fits over the end thereof for securely closing the branch. When it is desired to use thisbranch for drawing in water or other fluid the cap 29'is re moved and a hose or some suitable connection is. made with the branch 27 and the source of water supply. A passageway through the branch is then opened by means of thevalve 28, v Extending from the outlet pipe 1? to the discharge pipe 6 is a pipe 30 adapted to be closed by means of a valve 31.- pipe 30 is open a partof the water passing out throughthe discharge pipe 6' may be bypassed and discharged through the booster hose 21. Extending upwardly from the discharge pipe'6 to the booster tank 11 is apipe 32, which has therein a valve This pipe is used to refill the tank. When it is desired to refill the tank the valve 33 is open so that water may pass from the major pumpup through this pipe, into the booster tank There is also provided, in connection with the outlet pipe 17, an-air vent valve 34. When the apparatus is notin operation allthe valves are closed. For the our ose of opera ing the apparatus a suitable connection is madebetweenthe pumps and thepowermechanism of afire engine truck; After theproper connection has been made the pumps are connected for operation, the valves 14: and 34 are opened. The operation. of the pump 8 causes a suction through the maj or pump 5 and the inlet to this pump, whereby water is drawn up from the source into the pump.

When water has been drawn into the pumps it willpass out through the valve at, thereby 1ncl1cat1ng that the pump 5 is ready for operation because of the waterbeing therein. The valve 34 is then closed and the-valve 7 is open f rthe purpose of applying water means OJ. the ma or pump 101' the extinguishing of fires. However,the booster pump may be used independently'of the major pump: In that event the valves 12 and 19 are opened so that water fromthe booster tank passes through the booster pump, and out through the booster When this J hose 21 for extinguishing small fires, or: for

from the booster tank use until the main pump canbe brought'into' operation.

In the, event that the jsuctionvsidelof the major pump is connected'to-a source of' w'ater pressure asfor instance, a city hydrant, "the booster pump is unnecessary to; create a' within the =-maj or pump. or water has been exhausted it may be refilled from the major pump by opening the valve :33? and closing'the valve 12. By this means thewater in the booster tank is replenished, and when it escapes through thepipe 15 the valvesmay be closed so that no further water is forced into the booster tank. V,

. In the event the booster-pump has been in operation and delivering water from the booster tank, which is about to be exhausted, a vconnection may be made by OpeningQthe valve 14: to the major pump, thereby creating sufficient suction in this pipe tocause the water from the sourceto be drawn into-the pump, which. on operation ofv the pump, is discharged through the outlet orfdischarge pipe 6.

proper suction When the liquid When the major pumpis operatingand' it is desired to shut oif the auxiliary pump: an

a'nd booster pump havingan inlet connected auxiliary discharge of; water may beefiected through pipes 30, 17 andlS, and out through the hose-21. This accomplished by opening the valve 31 so that direct connection is-made between the discharge 6' and. ,the booster hose21. .1,

I desire to comprehend'withinmy inven tion such modifications as maybe embraced within my claims and the scopeof myinven-v ,tlOIl. V 1

IIaving thus fully described my invention,

Letters Patent, is: Lo 7 1. In a fire enginepump, in combination, a major pump having an outlet, and a booster pump having aninlet connected to the major pump and an outlet connected tozthe major pump outlet. 7 V Lql 2.. In a fire engine pump, in combinatiom-a what I claim as new and desire to secure by inaj orpump having an outlet, abooster pump having an inlet connected tothe major pump and an outlet having a connection with the ma orpump outlet, and means to shut oif said connection. j V i V J o. In a fire engine pump, in combination, a booster tank, a ma or pump having anout let, and a booster pump having an inlet connected to the major pump and to the booster tank and an outlet having a connection with the major pump outlet. I v c I 4. In a fire engine pump, incombination, abooster tank, a major pump having an outlet, a booster pump havingan inlet connected to the major pump and to the boster tank and an outlet having a connection with the major pump outlet, and means to shut ofilsaid connection.

supply and an outlet, booster pump having an inlet connectedxto the'major pump" for priminglit and an outh 6."Ina-fire-engine pump.,=incombination,

a booster tank,a major pump of the-centrifugal type having an inlet connection with a source .o-fwater supply and an outlet, and an exhauster pump having an inlet connected to-the-major pump for priming it and to 7.111 a fire engine pump, in combination, a maj o'rf'pump of v the ing an inlet connection with a source of water and an exhauster. and

centrifugal typehavlet connected to the major pump outlet 7 7 whereby; the major, pump may act' as. a booster pu v v 8. In a fire engine pump,in combination,

a major pump of the centrifugal type having "an inlet connection with a source of water supply and an outlet, an eXhauster.

to the major pump for priming it and an outlet having a connection "to the major pump outlet, whereby the major pump may act as a booster pump, and means to out off the last-named connection; I

- 9;. In afireiengine pump, in combination,

a major pump of the centrifugal type havmg. an inlet connection with a source of water supply and: an I outlet, can exhauster' and c booster pump having aninlet connected to the major pump for priming itand an out let having a connection-to the major pump outlet and the i 10. In a fire engmepump,in combination, a major pump of the centrifugal type having an, inlet connection "with a source of water supply and an. outlet, an exhauster and J booster pump having an inlet connected to the major pump for priming it and an outa let having a connection to the .maj orpump outlet, whereby the smajorivpump may a-ct as-abooster pump, meansto cut off the lastnamed connection, and pressure relief means between the booster pump outlet and the 1 booster*p unpinlet,gsaidi relieflmeans comprisinga pipe having therein a relief valve.

. c 11. In a fire engine pump, in combination,

amajor pumpnof the centrifugal type havingv an inlet-fconnection wit-ha, source of water supply and an outlet, an exhauster and-booster pump having an inlet connected tothe major pumpfor priming it and an out let having a connection to the major pump outlet, whereby the major pump may act as a booster pump, means to cut off the lastnamecl connection, and pressure relief 'means between the booster pump outlet and the booster pump inlet, said relief means comprising a pipe having therein a relief valve and a stop valve.

12. In a fire engine pump, in combination, a major pump of the centrifugal type havingan inlet connected to a source of water supply and an outlet, a booster tank, means Connected to the major pump for refilling the tank, and an exhauster and booster pump connected to the major pump and the outlet thereof.

13. In a fire engine pump, in combination, a major pump of the centrifugal type hav ing an inlet connected to a source of water supply and an outlet, a booster tank, means connected to the major pump for refilling the tank, an exhauster and booster pump having an inlet connected to the major pump and to the tank and an outlet and means for making a connection between the two outlets. 14. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a major pump having a suction pipe and a discharge pipe, and a booster tank,

and an auxiliary pump having an inlet connected to the major pump and to the booster tank and an outlet connected to the discharge pipe.

15. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a booster tank and a major pump having a discharge pipe, an auxiliary pump having an inlet connected to the major pump and to the booster tank, and an outlet having a connection with the discharge pipe and means to close said connection. 16. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a booster tank and a major pump having a discharge pipe, an auxiliary pump having an inlet with a connection to the major pump and with a connectionto the booster tank and an outlet having a connection to the dischar e pipe, and means to close each connection.

17. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a booster tank and a major pump having a discharge pipe, a connection between the dischargepipe and the booster tank, an auxiliary pump having an inlet with a connection to the major pump and with a connection to the booster tank and an outlet having a connection to the discharge pipe, and means to close each connection. r 18. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a booster tank and a major pump having a discharge pipe, a connection between the discharge pipe and the booster tank, an auxiliary pump having an inlet with a connection to the major pump and with a, connection to the booster tank and an outlet having a connection to the "discharge pipe,

means to close each connection, and by-pass means between the inlet and the auxiliary pump. e 19. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a booster tank and a major. pump having a discharge pipe, a connection between the discharge pipe and the booster tank, an auxiliary pump-having an inlet with a connection to the major pump and with a connection to the booster tank and an outlet having a connection to the discharge pipe, means to close each connection, and by-pass means between the inlet and the outlet of the auxiliary pump, said by-pass means including a pipe having a relief valve therein.

20. In a fire engine pump, in combination with a booster tank and a major pump ha-v ing a-discharge pipe, a connection between the discharge pipe and the booster tank, an auxiliary pump having an inlet with a connection to the major pump and with a connection to the booster tank and an outlet having a connection to the discharge pipe, means to close each connection, and by-pass means between the inlet and the outlet of the auxiliary pump, said by-pass means comprising a pipe having therein a relief Valve and a manually operated valve.

21. In combination, abooster tank, a rotary pump connected to a source of fluid below said pump, a booster pump, and means connecting the inlet of the booster pump to-the rotary pump to cause the priming of the rotarypump and to the tank. 7

22. In combination, a rotary pump connected to a source of fluid below said pump,- a booster pump, means connecting the booster pump to the rotary pump to cause the priming of the rotary pump, a supplemental source of supply for the booster pump, and a common source of supply for the rotary pump and for the booster pump to enable the booster pump to restore its source of supply. 23. In a method of operatingpumping mechanism, injecting fluid from a supplemental source of supply into a master pump, inducing thereby the flow ofliquid from a master source of supply into and through the master pump, thereafter starting up the master pump and cutting off tioned pump.

24. In combination, a master pump connected to a source of fluid below it, a supplemental pump connected on one side to the'master pump and on the other side to the outlet of the master pump, and means of connecting the supplemental pump intermediate its connection to the master pump to a source of gravity fluid supply, whereby the operation'of the supplemental pump will 7 cause the flow of fluid from the of supply in conjunction with fluid of the gravity source of supply and the'master pump would be therebyprimed and operated.

lower source the first-menoutlet of the V the flow of l to utilize the supplemental pump to discharge 25. In combination, a master pump connected to a source of fluid below it, asupplemental pump connected on one side to the master pump'and on the other side to the outlet of the master pump means' of connecting the supplemental pump intermediate its connection to the master pump to a source of gravity fluid supply, whereby the operation of the supplemental pump will cause the flow of fluid from the'lower source of supply in conjunction with the flow of fluid of the gravity source of supply and the master pump would be thereby primed and operated, and means for cutting 01f the supplemental pump from the master pump fluid independently of the master pump from the gravity supply while the master pump is discharging fluid fromrthe lower supply.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

- CHARLES H. FOX. 

